Owyheeite

specimen number:
2133313

location:
Gabbs, Nye Co., Nevada, USA

description:
Rich metallic masses across the top of matrix. Very good for the species.

Owyheeite is a rare polymetallic sulfosalt mineral that crystallizes in the orthorhombic system. It typically forms in low- to medium-temperature hydrothermal veins, where it is commonly found associated with other silver-bearing minerals, galena, sphalerite, and quartz. Visually, the mineral occurs as metallic, silver-grey to steel-grey acicular or capillary crystals, often forming felt-like, flexible fibrous aggregates or dense masses that can tarnish to a dark, iridescent grey. The mineral was first discovered and described in 1921 from the Poorman mine in the Silver City district of Owyhee County, Idaho, which serves as its type locality and namesake. It is rarely found in large enough quantities to serve as a major primary ore of silver.

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